Reception apparatus, terminal apparatus, control method, program, and communication system

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a reception apparatus including: a reception portion configured to receive AV content being transmitted; a command execution portion configured to execute a first application program in response to a first command for controlling the operation of the first application program executed in interlocked related to the AV content; a command transmission portion configured to transmit to an external terminal apparatus a second command for controlling the operation of a second application program that can be executed by the terminal apparatus in interlocked relation to the AV content when the terminal apparatus is connected to the reception apparatus; and a command reception portion configured to receive the first command transmitted from the terminal apparatus executing the second application program. The command execution portion executes the first application program in response to the received first command.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Ser. No.61/512,254, filed on Jul. 27, 2011, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present technology relates to a reception apparatus, a terminalapparatus, a control method, a program, and a communication system. Moreparticularly, this technology relates to a reception apparatus, aterminal apparatus, a control method, a program, and a communicationsystem for controlling the operation of a predetermined applicationprogram in interlocked relation to AV (Audio Visual) content such as aprogram.

In digital broadcasting, not only television program broadcast servicesbut also so-called data broadcast services have been implemented today(e.g., see Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2006-50237). Studies areunderway on the introduction of more advanced services that utilize theInternet in conjunction with digital underway on the introduction ofmore advanced services that utilize the Internet in conjunction withdigital television broadcasts from now on.

For example, the advanced services using the Internet in conjunctionwith digital television broadcasts and currently under consideration mayinclude application programs that are supplied to a reception apparatusvia the Internet to control the operation of the reception apparatus ininterlocked relation to the AV content of a program, or to operate anexternal apparatus connected to the reception apparatus in interlockedrelation to the AV content.

SUMMARY

However, the technology of controlling the operation of an externalapparatus connected to the reception apparatus in interlocked relationto the currently received AV content has yet to be established.

The present technology has been made in view of the above circumstancesand provides arrangements for controlling the operation of an externalapparatus connected to the reception apparatus in interlocked relationto AV content.

According to a first embodiment of the present technology, there isprovided a reception apparatus including: a reception portion configuredto receive AV (audio visual) content being transmitted; a commandexecution portion configured to execute a first application program inresponse to a first command for controlling the operation of the firstapplication program executed in interlocked related to the AV content; acommand transmission portion configured to transmit to an externalterminal apparatus a second command for controlling the operation of asecond application program that can be executed by the terminalapparatus in interlocked relation to the AV content when the terminalapparatus is connected to the reception apparatus; and a commandreception portion configured to receive the first command transmittedfrom the terminal apparatus executing the second application program.The command execution portion executes the first application program inresponse to the received first command.

Preferably, the reception apparatus of the present disclosure mayfurther include a trigger extraction portion configured to extracttrigger information which is transmitted along with the AV content andwhich pertains to the control of the first application program. Thecommand execution portion executes the first application program inresponse to the first command designated by the extracted triggerinformation.

Preferably, if the terminal apparatus has yet to execute the secondapplication program, the command transmission portion may transmit thesecond command for activating the second application program, and if thereception apparatus has terminated the execution of the firstapplication program, the command transmission portion may transmit thesecond command for terminating the execution of the second applicationprogram.

Preferably, if the terminal apparatus is executing the secondapplication program, the command transmission portion may transmit thesecond command for causing the second application program to perform aspecific process, and if the reception apparatus has terminated theexecution of the first application program, the command transmissionportion may transmit the second command for terminating the currentlyexecuting specific process.

Preferably, in response to the first command received from the terminalapparatus, the command execution portion may either maintain the displayof information displayed by the first application program, delete thedisplay of the information, or update the display of the information.

Preferably, the trigger information may include the first commanddesignating acquisition, registration, or activation of the firstapplication program, or injection, suspension, or termination of anevent, and in response to the first command, the command executionportion may execute the acquisition, registration, or activation of thefirst application program, the injection of an event into the currentlyexecuting first application program, the suspension of the currentlyexecuting first application program, or the termination of the currentlyexecuting first application program.

Also according to the first embodiment of the present technology, thereis provided a control method or a first program functionallycorresponding to the above-outlined reception apparatus according to thefirst aspect of this technology.

Where the reception apparatus, control method, and first programaccording to the first embodiment of this technology are in use, AVcontent being transmitted is first received. The first applicationprogram is executed in response to the first command for controlling theoperation of the first application program to be executed in interlockedrelation to the AV content. When the reception apparatus is connected tothe external terminal apparatus and when the terminal apparatus canexecute the second application program to be executed in interlockedrelation to the AV content, the second command for controlling theoperation of the second application program is transmitted to theterminal apparatus. The first command transmitted from the terminalapparatus executing the second application program is received. Thefirst application program is executed in response to the received firstcommand.

According to a second embodiment of the present technology, there isprovided a terminal apparatus including: a command reception portionconfigured to receive a second command for controlling the operation ofa second application program executed in interlocked relation to AVcontent being received, the second command being transmitted from areception apparatus executing a first application program in interlockedrelation to the received AV content; a command execution portionconfigured to execute the second application program in response to thereceived second command; and a command transmission portion configuredto transmit to the reception apparatus a first command for controllingthe operation of the first application program in accordance with theoperation of the second application program.

Preferably, if the terminal apparatus is not executing the secondapplication program, the command reception portion may receive thesecond command for activating the second application program; and if thereception apparatus has terminated the execution of the firstapplication program, the command reception portion may receive thesecond command for terminating the execution of the second applicationprogram.

Preferably, if a user has permitted the activation of the secondapplication program, the command execution portion may activate thesecond application program in response to the second command.

Preferably, if the terminal apparatus is executing the secondapplication program, the command reception portion may receive thesecond command for causing the second application program to execute aspecific process; and if the reception apparatus has terminated theexecution of the first application program, the command receptionportion may receive the second command for terminating the currentlyexecuting specific process.

Preferably, if a user has permitted the execution of the specificprocess, the command execution portion may cause the second applicationprogram to execute the specific process in response to the secondcommand.

Also according to the first embodiment of the present technology, thereis provided a control method or a second program functionallycorresponding to the above-outlined terminal apparatus according to thesecond embodiment of this technology.

Where the terminal apparatus, control method, and second programaccording to the second embodiment of this technology are in use, thesecond command is received to control the operation of the secondapplication program to be executed in interlocked relation to the AVcontent being received, the second command being transmitted from thereception apparatus executing the first application program ininterlocked relation to the received AV content. The second applicationprogram is executed in response to the received second command. Thefirst command is transmitted to the reception apparatus to control theoperation of the first application program in accordance with theoperation of the second application program.

According to a third embodiment of the present technology, there isprovided a communication system including a reception apparatus and aterminal apparatus. The reception apparatus includes: a receptionportion configured to receive AV content being transmitted; a firstcommand execution portion configured to execute a first applicationprogram in response to a first command for controlling the operation ofthe first application program executed in interlocked related to the AVcontent; a first command transmission portion configured to transmit tothe terminal apparatus a second command for controlling the operation ofa second application program that can be executed by the terminalapparatus in interlocked relation to the AV content when the terminalapparatus is connected to the reception apparatus; and a first commandreception portion configured to receive the first command transmittedfrom the terminal apparatus executing the second application program.The terminal apparatus includes: a second command reception portionconfigured to receive the second command transmitted from the receptionapparatus; a second command execution portion configured to execute thesecond application program in response to the received second command;and a second command transmission portion configured to transmit to thereception apparatus the first command in accordance with the operationof the second application program. The first command execution portionexecutes the first application program in response to the received firstcommand.

Where the communication system according to the third embodiment of thistechnology is in use, the reception apparatus first receives AV contentbeing transmitted. The first application program is executed in responseto the first command for controlling the operation of the firstapplication program to be executed in interlocked relation to the AVcontent. When the reception apparatus is connected to the terminalapparatus and when the terminal apparatus can execute the secondapplication program to be executed in interlocked relation to the AVcontent, the second command for controlling the operation of the secondapplication program is transmitted to the terminal apparatus. The firstcommand transmitted from the terminal apparatus executing the secondapplication program is received. The first application program isexecuted in response to the received first command. The terminalapparatus receives the second command transmitted from the receptionapparatus. The operation of the second application program is controlledin response to the received second command. The first command istransmitted to the reception apparatus in accordance with the operationof the second application program. The first application program isexecuted in response to the received first command.

According to one embodiment of the present technology, the externalapparatus connected to the reception apparatus can be operated ininterlocked relation to AV content.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a typical configuration of abroadcasting system;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a typical structure of a broadcastingapparatus;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a typical structure of a receptionapparatus;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a typical structure of an externalapparatus;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the items included in the triggerinformation of a register command;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the items included in the triggerinformation of an execute command;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the items included in the triggerinformation of an inject event command;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the items included in the triggerinformation of a suspend command;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing the items included in the triggerinformation of a terminate command;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a typical syntax of the triggerinformation;

FIG. 11 is a state transition diagram of a data broadcast application;

FIG. 12 is a state transition diagram for commands in conjunction withthe data broadcast application;

FIG. 13 is a schematic view outlining how data broadcast applicationsare interlocked to one another;

FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing details of commands;

FIG. 15 is a schematic view showing a typical operation scenario;

FIG. 16 is a schematic view showing another typical operation scenario;

FIG. 17 is a schematic view showing a typical operation sequence;

FIG. 18 is a schematic view showing another typical operation sequence;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart explanatory of a resident process performed bythe reception apparatus;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart explanatory of an application process performedby the reception apparatus;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart explanatory of a resident process performed bythe external apparatus;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart explanatory of an application process performedby the external apparatus;

FIG. 23 is a flowchart explanatory of another resident process performedby the reception apparatus;

FIG. 24 is a flowchart explanatory of another application processperformed by the reception apparatus;

FIG. 25 is a flowchart explanatory of another resident process performedby the external apparatus;

FIG. 26 is a flowchart explanatory of another application processperformed by the external apparatus;

FIG. 27 is a schematic view showing how a data broadcast application istypically interlocked; and

FIG. 28 is a schematic view showing a typical structure of a computer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Some preferred embodiments of this technology will now be describedbelow in reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Typical Configuration of Broadcasting System]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a typical configuration of abroadcasting system.

The broadcasting system 1 is constituted by a broadcasting apparatus 21and a server 22 set up on the transmitting side and by a receptionapparatus 23 and an external apparatus 24 installed on the receivingside.

The broadcasting apparatus 21 is designed to transmit a digitaltelevision broadcast signal via a broadcasting network such as aterrestrial digital broadcasting network. The digital televisionbroadcast signal is used to transmit AV content such as programs andCM's (Commercial Message).

Also, the broadcasting apparatus 21 transmits trigger informationserving as a command regarding the operation of an application programor programs used for data broadcasting (the application program may becalled the data broadcast application hereunder) and operated ininterlocked relation to the AV content, the trigger information beingincluded in the digital television broadcast signal when transmitted.More specifically, the trigger information is placed in transportstreams (TS's) of the digital television broadcast signal or embedded ina video and audio signal when transmitted.

In addition to information indicating a command type, the triggerinformation includes information indicating the source at which the databroadcast application is acquired. Details of the trigger informationwill be discussed later.

The server 22 supplies data broadcast applications in response torequests from the reception apparatus 23 or external apparatus 24gaining access to the server 22 via the Internet 3.

The reception apparatus 23 receives the digital broadcast signalbroadcast by the broadcasting apparatus 21, and outputs images andsounds of the AV content to a monitor (not shown). Also, the receptionapparatus 23 accesses the server 22 via the Internet 3 to acquire andexecute data broadcast applications.

Furthermore, the reception apparatus 23 is connected to the externalapparatus 24 and sends commands to the latter for controlling theapplication program to be executed by the external apparatus 24.

The reception apparatus 23 may be implemented as an independent unit orincorporated in a television set or in a video recorder, for example.

The external apparatus 24 is connected to the reception apparatus 23 andexecutes an application program in accordance with commands transmittedfrom the reception apparatus 23. Also, in accordance with the operationof the application program, the external apparatus 24 transmits to thereception apparatus 23 the commands for controlling the operation of adata broadcast application to be executed by the reception apparatus 23.

For example, when not executing a specific application programinterlocked to the reception apparatus 23 (the application may be calledthe specific interlocked application hereunder), the external apparatus24 accesses the server 22 via the Internet 3 in response to commandsfrom the reception apparatus 23, and acquires and executes the databroadcast application. And when executing the specific interlockedapplication, the external apparatus 24 performs a specific process inresponse to commands from the reception apparatus 23. For example, thespecific process may involve displaying information related to the AVcontent such as programs, the information being acquired from the server22 (the information may be called the program-related informationhereunder).

Incidentally, typical specific interlocked applications may include anapplication program for implementing the function of a remote controllerfor operating the reception apparatus 23, and an application program forimplementing the function of an electronic program guide (EPG) forselecting programs. Also, a smart phone, a portable informationterminal, a digital television set, a video recorder or the like maytypically serve as the external apparatus 24.

The broadcasting system 1 is structured as described above.

[Typical Structure of Broadcasting Apparatus]

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a typical structure of thebroadcasting apparatus.

The broadcasting apparatus 21 is made up of a trigger generation portion31, a video encoder 32, an audio encoder 33, a multiplexing portion 34,and a transmission portion 35.

The trigger generation portion 31 generates trigger information inkeeping with the progress of a program or CM's input from the upstreamportions, and outputs the generated trigger information to the videoencoder 32 and multiplexing portion 34.

The video encoder 32 encodes the video stream of the AV content such asa program input form the upstream portions in accordance with apredetermined coding system, and supplies the resulting encoded videostream to the multiplexing portion 34. Typical coding systems that maybe used by the video encoder 32 include MPEG-2 (Moving Picture ExpertsGroup phase 2) and H.264.

Also, when encoding the video stream, the video encoder 32 embeds thetrigger information from the trigger generation portion 31 into thestream to acquire an encoded video stream, and outputs the resultingencoded video stream to the multiplexing portion 34.

The audio encoder 33 encodes the audio stream corresponding to the videostream input to the video encoder 32, in accordance with a predeterminedcoding system to acquire an encoded audio stream, and feeds theresulting encoded audio stream to the multiplexing portion 34. Typicalcoding systems that may be used by the audio encoder 33 include AC3(Audio Code number 3) and AAC (Advanced Audio Coding).

The multiplexing portion 34 is supplied with the encoded video streamfrom the video encoder 32, with the encoded audio stream from the audioencoder 33, and with the trigger information from the trigger generationportion 31.

The multiplexing portion 34 multiplexes the encoded video stream andencoded audio stream as well as the trigger information into amultiplexed stream that is fed to the transmission portion 35. Forexample, the video stream, audio stream and trigger information may bemultiplexed into transport streams (TS). As another example, the videostream, audio stream and trigger information may be multiplexed in theISO (International Standards Organization) base media file format (MP4)taking into consideration network distribution of digital televisionbroadcasting.

The transmission portion 35 outputs the multiplexed stream coming fromthe multiplexing portion 34 as a digital television broadcast signal.

The broadcasting apparatus 21 is structured as explained above.

In the foregoing explanation, the trigger information was shown embeddedinto the video stream and also multiplexed into the multiplexed stream.Alternatively, the trigger information may be either embedded into thevideo stream or multiplexed into the multiplexed stream. As anotheralternative, the trigger information may be transmitted otherwise, e.g.,embedded in the audio stream.

[Typical Structure of Reception Apparatus]

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a typical structure of the receptionapparatus.

The reception apparatus 23 is made up of a tuner 61, a demultiplexingportion 62, an audio decoder 63, an audio output portion 64, a videodecoder 65, a video output portion 66, a trigger analysis portion 67, acontrol portion 68, a memory 69, an operation portion 70, acommunication I/F (Interface) 71, a cache memory 72, an applicationengine 73, an application memory 74, and an external I/F 75.

The tuner 61 receives and demodulates the digital television broadcastsignal corresponding to the service selected by the user (i.e.,channel), and feeds the multiplexed stream obtained through demodulationto the demultiplexing portion 62.

The demultiplexing portion 62 demultiplexes the multiplexed stream fromthe tuner 61 into an encoded audio signal and an encoded video signal,and supplies the encoded audio signal to the audio decoder 63 and theencoded video signal to the video decoder 65.

The audio decoder 63 decodes the encoded audio signal from thedemultiplexing portion 62 into an audio signal, and feeds the resultingaudio signal to the audio output portion 64.

The audio output portion 64 outputs the audio signal fed from the audiodecoder 63 to a downstream portion such as speakers.

The video decoder 65 decodes the encoded video signal fed from thedemultiplexing portion 62 into a video signal, and sends the resultingvideo signal to the video output portion 66 and trigger analysis portion67.

The video output portion 66 outputs the video signal coming from thevideo decoder 65 to a downstream portion such as a display unit. Also,the audio output portion 66 combines the video signal from the videodecoder 65 with the video signal of the data broadcast application fromthe application engine 73, and outputs the combined signal to adownstream portion.

The trigger analysis portion 67 continuously monitors the video signalsupplied from the video decoder 65, and extracts trigger informationthat may be embedded in the video signal. The trigger analysis portion67 analyzes the extracted trigger information and sends the result ofthe analysis to the control portion 68.

The control portion 68 controls the components of the receptionapparatus 23 in operation by carrying out control programs recorded inthe memory 69. Also, the control portion 68 is supplied with the resultof the analyzed trigger information from the trigger analysis portion67. In accordance with the command included in the trigger information,the control portion 68 controls the acquisition, registration, oractivation of the data broadcast application, the injection of an eventinto the application, or the suspension or termination of theapplication.

The control programs and various kinds of information are recorded inthe memory 69. The operation portion 70 accepts diverse operationsperformed by the user, and supplies the control portion 68 withoperation signals corresponding to the user's operations.

The communication I/F 71 under control of the application engine 73connects to the server 22 via the Internet 3. The application engine 73under control of the control portion 68 acquires the data broadcastapplication from the server 22 via the communication I/F 71 and theInternet 3, and places the acquired application into the cache memory 72for retention.

The application engine 73 under control of the control portion 68 readsthe data broadcast application retained in the cache memory 72 andexecutes the retrieved application. The video signal of the currentlyexecuting data broadcast application is forwarded to the video outputportion 66.

Furthermore, if the connected external apparatus 24 is targeted to beinterlocked, the application engine 73 supplies the external I/F 75 withcommands for controlling the application program to be executed by theexternal apparatus 24.

The external I/F 75 under control of the control portion 68 establisheswired or wireless connection with the external apparatus 24, and sendsto the external apparatus 24 the commands supplied from the applicationengine 73. Also, the external I/F 75 receives commands which are sentfrom the external apparatus 24 and which control the data broadcastapplication, and feeds the received commands to the application engine73. Incidentally, the external I/F 75 may be formed integrally with thecommunication I/F 71.

The application engine 73 controls the operation of the data broadcastapplication in accordance with the commands fed from the external I/F75. As needed, the application engine 73 may acquire and process diversekinds of information that are retained in the memory 69.

The application memory 74 is composed of a work memory 74A and a savememory 74B. The application engine 73 records to the work memory 74A thedata about the currently executing data broadcast application(specifically, the data may include the layer of the currently displayedinformation). When suspending the currently executing data broadcastapplication, the application engine 73 moves the data held in the workmemory 74A of the application memory 74 into the save memory 74B. Andwhen reactivating the suspended data broadcast application, theapplication engine 73 moves the data held in the save memory 74B intothe work memory 74A so as to restore the state before the suspension.

The reception apparatus 23 is structured as explained above.

[Typical Structure of External Apparatus]

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a typical structure of the externalapparatus.

The external apparatus 24 is made up of an external I/F 91, a commandanalysis portion 92, a control portion 93, an operation portion 94, amemory 95, an application engine 96, a communication I/F 97, and adisplay portion 98.

The external I/F 91 under control of the control portion 93 establisheswired or wireless connection with the reception apparatus 23 andreceives commands transmitted from the reception apparatus 23. Theexternal I/F 91 feeds the received commands to the command analysisportion 92.

The command analysis portion 92 analyzes the command fed from theexternal I/F 91, and supplies the result of the analysis to the controlportion 93.

The control portion 93 controls the components of the external apparatus24 in operation by carrying out control programs recorded in the memory95. Also, in accordance with the commands fed from the command analysisportion 92, the control portion 93 controls the operation of theapplication program to be executed by the application engine 96.

The operation portion 94 accepts diverse operations performed by theuser, and supplies the control portion 93 with operation signalscorresponding to the user's operations.

The application engine 96 executes the application program under controlof the control portion 93. The video signal of the application programis sent to the display portion 98.

For example, when not executing a specific interlocked application, theapplication engine 96 under control of the control portion 93 acquiresthe data broadcast application from the server 22 via the communicationI/F 97 and the Internet 3 and activates the acquired application. Andunder control of the control portion 93, the application engine 96executes the injection of an event into the currently executing databroadcast application, or the suspension or termination of theapplication.

Furthermore, when executing the specific interlocked application, theapplication engine 96 under control of the control portion 93 acquiresprogram-related information from the server 22 via the communication I/F97 and the Internet 3 and feeds the acquired information to the displayportion 98.

The communication I/F 97 under control of the application engine 96connects to the server 22 via the Internet 3, and acquires the databroadcast application or program-related information from the server 22.Incidentally, the communication I/F 97 may be formed integrally with theexternal I/F 91.

The display portion 98 displays images corresponding to the video signalsupplied from the application engine 96. The sounds corresponding to theaudio signal are output from speakers (not shown).

In keeping with the operation of the currently executing applicationprogram, the application engine 96 transmits to the external I/F 91 thecommands for controlling the data broadcast application to be executedby the reception apparatus 23. The external I/F 91 forwards the commandsfrom the application engine 96 to the reception apparatus 23.

The external apparatus 24 is structured as explained above.

[Details of Trigger Information]

Trigger information will now be explained in detail. The triggerinformation is used to control the data broadcast application. Forexample, the trigger information may include a register command, anexecute command, an inject event command, a suspend command, and aterminate command.

FIG. 5 shows the items included in the trigger information serving asthe register command. The register command is a command that instructsthe reception apparatus 23 to acquire and register the data broadcastapplication.

“Trigger_id” gives information identifying this trigger information. Ifthe trigger information of the same content is transmitted a pluralityof times, the “Trigger_id” item of each trigger information is the same.

“Protocol_version” indicates the Protocol version of this triggerinformation. “Command_code” indicates the command type of this triggerinformation. In the example of FIG. 5, the “Command_code” item describesinformation indicative of the register command.

“Trigger_validity” gives a server access dispersion parameter valueindicating the probability that each reception apparatus 23 havingreceived this trigger information will perform processes in accordancewith the received trigger information.

“App_id” gives information identifying the data broadcast applicationacquired in correspondence with this trigger information. Also, “App_id”indicates the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the destination (i.e.,server 22) from which to acquire the data broadcast application incorrespondence with this trigger information.

“App_type” gives information indicating the type of the data broadcastapplication (e.g., HTML5, java) corresponding to this triggerinformation. “App_life_span” gives information indicating the scope ofoperation of the data broadcast application.

“Persistent_priority” indicates the priority for the relevant databroadcast application to be acquired and retained. “Expire_date” givesinformation indicating the expiration date of the data broadcastapplication. When the data broadcast application is registered, therelevant priority (Persistent_priority) and expiration date(Expire_date) are stored. The data broadcast application is then managedin accordance with the priority and expiration date.

FIG. 6 shows the items included in the trigger information serving asthe execute command. The execute command is a command that instructs thereception apparatus 23 to activate the data broadcast application.

The items “Trigger_id,” “Protocol_version,” “Command_code,”“Trigger_validity,” “App_id,” “App_type,” and “Expire_date” are the sameas those included in the trigger information serving as the registercommand and shown in FIG. 5. However, it should be noted that“Command_code” describes information indicative of the execute command.“TDO_life_scope” is an information item that indicates the scope ofoperation of the data broadcast application.

FIG. 7 shows the items included in the trigger information serving asthe inject event (Inject event) command. The inject event command is acommand that instructs the reception apparatus 23 to inject an eventinto the currently executing data broadcast application.

The items “Trigger_id,” “Protocol_version,” “Command_code,”“Trigger_validity,” “App_id,” and “App_type” are the same as thoseincluded in the trigger information serving as the register command andshown in FIG. 5. However, it should be noted that “Command_code”describes information indicative of the inject event command.

“Event_id” gives information identifying the event to be injected intothe data broadcast application designated by “App_id.” “Event EmbeddedData” describes the data to be referenced when the event is injected.

FIG. 8 shows the items included in the trigger information serving asthe suspend command. The suspend command is a command that instructs thereception apparatus 23 to suspend the currently executing data broadcastapplication.

The items “Trigger_id,” “Protocol_version,” “Command_code,”“Trigger_validity,” and “App_id” are the same as those included in thetrigger information serving as the register command and shown in FIG. 5.However, it should be noted that “Command_code” describes informationindicative of the suspend command.

FIG. 9 shows the items included in the trigger information serving asthe terminate command. The terminate command is a command that instructsthe reception apparatus 23 to terminate the currently executing databroadcast application.

The items “Trigger_id,” “Protocol_version,” “Command_code,”“Trigger_validity,” and “App_id” are the same as those included in thetrigger information serving as the register command and shown in FIG. 5.However, it should be noted that “Command_code” describes informationindicative of the terminate command.

FIG. 10 shows a typical trigger information syntax that can correspondto any one of the above-described commands. The syntax of the triggerinformation may be devised as desired and is not limited to the exampleindicated in FIG. 10.

[State Transitions of Data Broadcast Application]

FIG. 11 is a state transition diagram of the data broadcast applicationoperating in accordance with the trigger information serving as any oneof the register command, execute command, inject event command, suspendcommand, and terminate command.

As shown in FIG. 11, the state of the data broadcast application may bedefined as one of four states: released state, ready state, activestate, and suspended state among which transitions are to be made.

The released state is a state in which the data broadcast applicationhas yet to be acquired by the reception apparatus 23. The ready state isa state in which the data broadcast application is already registeredwith the reception apparatus 23 but has yet to be activated thereby. Theactive state is a state where the data broadcast application has beenactivated and is currently executed. The suspended state is a statewhere the execution of the data broadcast application is suspended andinformation indicative of the suspended state is retained in the savememory 74B.

FIG. 12 shows typical state transitions between commands and the databroadcast application.

When in the released state (i.e., yet to be acquired by the receptionapparatus 23), the data broadcast application is acquired and retainedin response to the trigger information of the register command. Afterbeing registered, the data broadcast application transitions to theready state.

When in the ready state, the data broadcast application is activated inresponse to the trigger information of the execute command. Thusactivated, the data broadcast application transitions to the activestate.

When in the released state (i.e., yet to be acquired by the receptionapparatus 23), the data broadcast application is acquired and registeredin response to the trigger information of the execute command. Afterbeing activated, the data broadcast application transitions to theactivate state. Furthermore, when in the activate state, the currentlyexecuting data broadcast application undergoes the injection of an eventin response to the trigger information of the inject event command. Inthis case, predetermined processes are carried out including one thatreads updated data and has it reflected on the display.

When in the activate state, the currently executing data broadcastapplication is suspended in response to the trigger information of thesuspend command. Thus suspended, the data broadcast applicationtransitions to the suspended state. While in the suspended state, thedata broadcast application transitions to the ready state in response tothe trigger information of the terminate command.

When in the suspended state, the data broadcast application isreactivated in response to the trigger information of the executecommand. Thus reactivated, the data broadcast application transitions tothe active state. When in the activate state, the currently executingdata broadcast application is terminated in response to the triggerinformation of the terminate command. After being terminated, the databroadcast application transitions to the ready state.

When in the ready state, activate state or suspended state, a given databroadcast application may surpass its expiration date. If that happens,the data broadcast application in question is deleted from the cachememory 72 and its registration is cancelled. The data broadcastapplication then transitions to the released state.

[Outline of Data Broadcast Applications being Interlocked to OneAnother]

Outlined below in reference to FIGS. 13 and 14 is how the data broadcastapplications of the reception apparatus 23 and external apparatus 24 aretypically interlocked to one another.

In the ensuing explanation, the data broadcast application executed bythe reception apparatus 23 will be referred to as “the first broadcastapplication” in order to distinguish from the data broadcast applicationexecuted by the external apparatus 24, the latter application beingcalled “the second broadcast application.” It should be noted that thefirst and the second data broadcast applications may be the sameapplication or different applications.

Further in the ensuing explanation to distinguish commands forcontrolling the first data broadcast application, the second databroadcast application, and the specific interlocked application, thecommand executed by the reception apparatus 23 to control the operationof the first data broadcast application also executed by the receptionapparatus 23 will be referred to as “the first command” in order todistinguish from the command executed by the external apparatus 24 tocontrol the operation of the second data broadcast application or of thespecific interlocked application executed by the external apparatus 24,the latter command being called “the second command.”

As shown in FIG. 13, when the user selects a desired channel on thereception apparatus 23, an image of the program corresponding to theselected channel is displayed (S1). If trigger information transmittedalong with AV content is received, the received trigger information isanalyzed. In accordance with the first command designated by the triggerinformation, the first data broadcast application is executed, andprogram-interlocked information 111 interlocked to the program isdisplayed (S2).

Later, the external apparatus 24 may be connected to the receptionapparatus 23 and targeted to be interlocked. In that case, the receptionapparatus 23 transmits to the external apparatus 24 the second commandfor controlling the operation of the second data broadcast application.The second command causes the external apparatus 24 to give a pop-updisplay of an activation notification 121 indicating that the seconddata broadcast application may be activated (S3).

If the user performs an activation permission operation in response tothe activation notification 121, the external apparatus 24 executes thesecond data broadcast application thereby displaying program-interlockedinformation 122 (S4-1 through S4-3).

At this point, the external apparatus 24 transmits to the receptionapparatus 23 the first command for controlling the operation of thefirst data broadcast application. In response to the first commandcoming from the external apparatus 24, the reception apparatus 23executes the first data broadcast application and transitions to one ofdisplay states S4-1 through S4-3 as shown.

That is, in response to the first command from the external apparatus24, the reception apparatus 23 may continuously display theprogram-interlocked information 111 (S4-1), delete the display of theprogram-interlocked information 111 (S4-2), or display newprogram-interlocked information 112 following a display update (S4-3).

Later, the reception apparatus 23 may receive trigger information. Inthat case, in response to the first command designated by the triggerinformation, the reception apparatus 23 terminates the first databroadcast application (S5). Upon terminating the first data broadcastapplication, the reception apparatus 23 transmits the second commandaccordingly to the external apparatus 24. In response to the secondcommand coming from the reception apparatus 23, the external apparatus24 terminates the second data broadcast application (S5).

As explained above, the reception apparatus 23 and external apparatus 24interlock their data broadcast applications by having commandstransmitted to each other, the command from one data broadcastapplication changing the operating state of the other data broadcastapplication. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, the applicationengine of the reception apparatus 23 and that of the external apparatus24 exchange commands therebetween.

The application engine 73 executing the first data broadcast applicationon the reception apparatus 23 transmits the second command to theexternal apparatus 24. For example, the second command may be defined bya suitable function such as “SendCommand” provided by API (ApplicationProgram Interface). In this command, such arguments as a command type, acommand transmission destination location, an application acquisitionsource, an event ID, and event-accompanying information may bedesignated for example.

The command type designates the type of the command in question. Forexample, this argument describes information indicative of theactivation, termination, an event, or suspension of the second databroadcast application. The command transmission destination locationdescribes information such as IP (Internet Protocol) and a URL regardingthe external apparatus 24.

The application acquisition source describes information such as a URLindicating the source from which to acquire the second data broadcastapplication. This information is described only in the case of theactivate command. In this context, the activate command is a commandthat activates the second data broadcast application.

The event ID gives information identifying the event to be injected intoa specific interlocked application. The event-accompanying informationdescribes the data (e.g., URL) to be referenced when the event isinjected. The event ID and event-accompanying information are describedonly in the case of the event command. In this context, the eventcommand is a command that injects an event into the specific interlockedapplication to perform specific processes such as one that displaysprogram-related information.

Incidentally, when the reception apparatus 23 transmits the secondcommand to the external apparatus 24, the external apparatus 24 sendsback to the reception apparatus 23 a return value indicative of asuccess or failure of the result of execution of the second command.

On the external apparatus 24, the application engine 96 executing thesecond data broadcast application or specific interlocked programtransmits the first command to the reception apparatus 23. For example,the first command may be defined by a suitable function such as“SendCommand” provided by API. In this command, such arguments as acommand type, an event ID, and event addition information may bedesignated for example.

The command type designates the type of the command in question. Thisargument describes information indicative of an event of the first databroadcast application.

The event ID gives information identifying the event to be injected intothe first data broadcast application. The event-accompanying informationdescribes the data to be referenced when the event is injected.

Incidentally, when the external apparatus 24 transmits the first commandto the reception apparatus 23, the reception apparatus 23 sends back tothe external apparatus 24 a return value indicative of a success orfailure of the result of execution of the first command.

Also, if the data broadcast applications executed by each applicationengine are described in, say, HTML (HyperText Markup Language), theabove commands are transmitted by carrying out the POST method of HTTP(HyperText Transfer Protocol).

Explained above with regard to the example of FIG. 13 was the case wherethe second data broadcast application is activated by the second commandon condition that the second data broadcast application is not active onthe external apparatus 24. However, it is also possible to conceive acase where a specific interlocked program is already executed by theexternal apparatus 24. Thus the former case will be referred to as “usecase 1” and the latter case as “use case 2” in the ensuing description,and the two cases will be explained hereunder.

[Operation Scenarios]

When the reception apparatus 23 and external apparatus 24 transmitcommands to each other to change the operating state of each other'sapplication program as explained above, it becomes possible to operatethe data broadcast applications as illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16, forexample.

FIG. 15 shows a typical operation scenario of use case 1.

In keeping with the progress of a program (i.e., AV content), thebroadcasting apparatus 21 may transmit to the reception apparatus 23 thetrigger information serving as the execute command for the first databroadcast application corresponding to the ongoing program. Upon receiptof the trigger information, the reception apparatus 23 activates thefirst data broadcast application. The activation causes an image of thefirst data broadcast application (program-interlocked information) toappear superposed on the image of the program.

If the first data broadcast application has yet to be acquired, thereception apparatus 23 acquires the first data broadcast applicationfrom the server 22 and activates the acquired application. At thispoint, it is assumed that no specific interlock application is beingperformed by the external apparatus 24.

The external apparatus 24 may also be connected to the receptionapparatus 23 and targeted to be interlocked. In this case, the receptionapparatus 23 may transmit the activate command (second command) to theexternal apparatus 24. Upon receipt of the activate command, theexternal apparatus 24 gives a pop-up display of an activationnotification indicating that the second data broadcast application maybe activated. If the user performs an activation permission operationupon verifying the application activation notification, the externalapparatus 24 activates the second data broadcast application to displayits image (program-interlocked information) while transmitting the eventcommand (first command) to the reception apparatus 23 at the same time.

In response to the event command sent from the external apparatus 24,the reception apparatus 23 injects an event into the first databroadcast application being executed, thereby performing predeterminedprocesses such as one that reads updated data and has it reflected onthe display. The processing causes the reception apparatus 23 totransition to one of the states S4-1 through S4-3 shown in FIG. 13, forexample.

Later, the reception apparatus 23 and external apparatus 24 continuouslydisplay the images of their data broadcast applications(program-interlocked information). At the end of the program, thebroadcasting apparatus 21 may transmit to the reception apparatus 23 thetrigger information serving as the terminate command for terminating thefirst data broadcast application being executed. Upon receipt of thetrigger information, the reception apparatus 23 terminates the currentlyexecuting first data broadcast application. Also, the receptionapparatus 23 transmits the terminate command (second command) to theexternal apparatus 24. The terminate command is a command thatterminates the second data broadcast application.

Upon receipt of the terminate command sent from the reception apparatus23, the external apparatus 24 terminates the currently executing seconddata broadcast application. The external apparatus 24 then returns tothe display state before the second data broadcast application wasactivated.

In use case 1, as explained above, the external apparatus 24 controlsthe operation of the second data broadcast application in response tothe second command from the reception apparatus 24. On the other hand,the reception apparatus 23 controls the operation of the first databroadcast application in keeping with the first command from theexternal apparatus 24.

FIG. 16 is a schematic view showing a typical operation scenario of usecase 2.

As in the case of FIG. 15, when the broadcasting apparatus 21 transmitsthe trigger information of the execute command to the receptionapparatus 23, the reception apparatus 23 activates the first databroadcast application. At this point, the external apparatus 24 isassumed to be executing a specific interlocked application.

Then after the external apparatus 24 is connected to the receptionapparatus 23 and targeted to be interlocked, the reception apparatus 23may transmit the event command (second command) to the externalapparatus 24. Upon receipt of the event command, the external apparatus24 gives a pop-up display of a program-related information notification.If the user performs a display permission operation upon verifying theprogram-related information notification, the external apparatus 24displays program-related information while transmitting the eventcommand (first command) to the reception apparatus 23 at the same time.

Upon receiving the event command sent from the external apparatus 24,the reception apparatus 23 injects an event into the currently executingfirst data broadcast application. For example, the reception apparatus23 may transition to one of the states S4-1 through S4-3 shown in FIG.13.

Later, the reception apparatus 23 and external apparatus 24 continuouslydisplay the images of their data broadcast applications(program-interlocked information and program-related information). Atthe end of the program, the broadcasting apparatus 21 may transmit tothe reception apparatus 23 the trigger information serving as theterminate command for terminating the first data broadcast applicationbeing executed. Upon receipt of the trigger information, the receptionapparatus 23 terminates the currently executing first data broadcastapplication. Also, the reception apparatus 23 transmits the eventcommand (second command) to the external apparatus 24.

Upon receipt of the event command sent from the reception apparatus 23,the external apparatus 24 terminates the currently executing second databroadcast application, and returns to the state before theprogram-related information was displayed.

In use case 2, as explained above, the external apparatus 24 executingthe specific interlocked application controls the display of theprogram-related information in response to the second command from thereception apparatus 23. On the other hand, the reception apparatus 23controls the operation of the first data broadcast application inkeeping with the first command from the external apparatus 24.

[Operation Sequences]

Explained below in reference to FIGS. 17 and 18 is how the apparatusesmaking up the broadcasting system 1 operate in the operating scenariosof use cases 1 and 2 discussed above.

FIG. 17 is a schematic view showing a typical operation sequence of usecase 1.

The reception apparatus 23 transmits a device detection querynotification to the external apparatus 24 so as to detect the connectedapparatus 24. In response to the notification, the reception apparatus23 determines whether a device detection response is sent from theexternal apparatus 24.

The reception apparatus 23 may receive the trigger information of theexecute command sent from the broadcasting apparatus 21 along with AVcontent. In this case, the reception apparatus 23 requests the firstdata broadcast application from the server 22 via the Internet 3. Thereception 23 acquires the first data broadcast application transmittedfrom the server 22 upon request, and executes the acquired application.This causes program-interlocked information 111 of the first databroadcast application to appear superposed on the image of the program.

Later, the reception apparatus 23 may receive the trigger information ofthe inject event command sent from the broadcasting apparatus 21. Inthis case, the reception apparatus 23 injects an event into thecurrently executing first data broadcast application, and transmits theactivate command to the external apparatus 24.

Upon receipt of the activate command from the reception apparatus 23,the external apparatus 24 gives a pop-up display of an activationnotification regarding the second data broadcast application. If theuser performs an activation permission operation upon verifying theapplication activation notification, the external apparatus 24 requeststhe second data broadcast application from the server 22 via theInternet 3. The external apparatus 24 acquires the second data broadcastapplication transmitted from the server 22 upon request, and executesthe acquired application. In this manner, the external apparatus 24executes the second data broadcast application and displaysprogram-interlocked information 122.

Then, after activating the second data broadcast application, theexternal apparatus 24 transmits the event command to the receptionapparatus 23.

In response to the event command sent from the external apparatus 24,the reception apparatus 23 injects an event into the currently executingfirst data broadcast application. The operation entails such processesas one that reads updated data and has it reflected on the display. Thiscauses the reception apparatus 23 to transition to one of the statesS4-1 through S4-3 shown in FIG. 13, for example.

Later, the reception apparatus 23 may receive the trigger information ofthe terminate command from the broadcasting apparatus 21. In this case,the reception apparatus 23 terminates the currently executing first databroadcast application. Also, after terminating the first data broadcastapplication, the reception apparatus 23 transmits the terminate commandto the external apparatus 24.

Upon receipt of the terminate command sent from the reception apparatus23, the external apparatus 24 terminates the currently executing seconddata broadcast application, and returns to the state before the seconddata broadcast application was activated.

The above-described paragraph completes the explanation of the operationsequence of use case 1.

FIG. 18 is a schematic view showing a typical operation sequence of usecase 2.

The external apparatus 24 is assumed to be displaying an applicationlauncher for activating a specific interlocked application. The specificinterlocked application is executed by an activation operation performedby the user.

The reception apparatus 23 detects the external apparatus 24 in the samemanner as in use case 1 of FIG. 17. Also, upon receipt of the triggerinformation of the execute command from the broadcasting apparatus 21,the reception apparatus 23 acquires the first data broadcast applicationfrom the server 22 via the Internet 3, and executes the acquiredapplication.

Later, upon receipt of the trigger information of the inject eventcommand from the broadcasting apparatus 21, the reception apparatus 23injects an event into the currently executing first data broadcastapplication, and transmits the event command to the external apparatus24.

On receiving the event command from the reception apparatus 23, theexternal apparatus 24 gives a pop-up display of a program-relatedinformation notification. If the user performs a display permissionoperation upon verifying the program-related information notification,the external apparatus 24 requests the program-related information fromthe server 22 via the Internet 3. The external apparatus 24 acquires theprogram-related information transmitted from the server 22 upon request,and displays the acquired information. In this manner, the externalapparatus 24 displays the program-related information 123.

Then, after displaying the program-related information, the externalapparatus 24 transmits the event command to the reception apparatus 23.

In response to the event command sent from the external apparatus 24,the reception apparatus 23 injects an event into the currently executingfirst data broadcast application. The operation entails such processesas one that reads updated data and has it reflected on the display. Thiscauses the reception apparatus 23 to transition to one of the statesS4-1 through S4-3 shown in FIG. 13, for example.

Later, the reception apparatus 23 may receive the trigger information ofthe terminate command from the broadcasting apparatus 21. In this case,the reception apparatus 23 terminates the currently executing first databroadcast application. Also, after terminating the first data broadcastapplication, the reception apparatus 23 transmits the event command tothe external apparatus 24.

Upon receipt of the event command sent from the reception apparatus 23,the external apparatus 24 terminates the display of the program-relatedinformation, and returns to the state before the program-relatedinformation was displayed.

The above-described paragraph completes the explanation of the operationsequence of use case 2.

In the above-described operation sequences of FIGS. 17 and 18, thereception apparatus 23 was shown transmitting the activate command andevent command to the external apparatus 24 in accordance with thetrigger information of the inject event command. The biggest differencebetween use case 1 and use case 2 is whether the external apparatus 24is executing the specific interlocked application. Thus, although thereexist some differences in the details of processing, FIGS. 15 and 17indicate an example of use case 1 in which the specific interlockedapplication is not executed, whereas FIGS. 16 and 18 give an example ofuse case 2 in which the specific interlocked application is executed.

[Interlocked Operations of Reception Apparatus and External Apparatus]

Explained below in reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 19 through 26are typical interlocked operations performed by the reception apparatus23 and external apparatus 24 in each of the above-mentioned use cases.The interlocked operations in use case 1 will be explained first inreference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 19 through 22, followed by anexplanation of the interlocked operations in use case 2 in reference tothe flowcharts of FIGS. 23 through 26.

When interlocked to each other, the reception apparatus 23 and externalapparatus 24 each perform processes using a resident application program(called the resident process hereunder) in parallel with processes usingan application program executed in interlocked relation to AV content(called the application process hereunder). In the description thatfollows, the resident process and application process of each apparatuswill be explained separately.

[Interlocked Operations in Use Case 1]

First, the resident process performed by the reception apparatus 23 inuse case 1 is explained below in reference to the flowchart of FIG. 19.

In step S101, the control portion 68 controls the external I/F 75 totransmit intermittently a device detection query notification. Forexample, if the external apparatus 24 is connected to the receptionapparatus 23, the external apparatus 24 returns a device detectionresponse. Incidentally, where the external apparatus 24 is to bedetected, the communication system such as SSDP (Simple ServiceDiscovery Protocol) defined by UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) may beused.

In step S102, the control portion 68 determines whether a devicedetection response is received from the external apparatus 24.

If in step S102 it is determined that the device detection response isreceived from the external apparatus 24, control is passed on to stepS103. In step S103, the control portion 68 acquires the attributes ofthe external apparatus 24 and access destination information forconnecting to the external apparatus 24, the attributes and theinformation (called the external apparatus information altogether) beingincluded in the device detection response sent from the externalapparatus 24. The control portion 68 stores what is acquired from thedevice detection response into the memory 69. For example, theattributes may include type information about the type of the externalapparatus 24, and the access destination information may include suchinformation as the IP address and URL of the external apparatus 24.

Upon completion of step S103, control is passed on to step S104. If instep S102 it is determined that no device detection response is receivedfrom the external apparatus 24, then step S103 is skipped and step S104is reached.

In step S104, the control portion 68 determines whether triggerinformation is extracted based on the result of the trigger analysisportion 67 attempting to extract trigger information.

If in step S104 it is determined that no trigger information isextracted, control is returned to step S101 and the subsequent steps arerepeated. If the device detection response is returned from the externalapparatus 24, the external apparatus information about that externalapparatus 24 is stored into the memory 69.

Later, if it is determined that trigger information is extracted in stepS104, control is passed on to step S105. In step S105, the controlportion 68 reads the item “Command_code” from the trigger informationand determines whether the command designated by the trigger informationis the execute command.

If in step S105 it is determined that the command is the executecommand, control is passed on to step S106. In step S106, theapplication engine 73 activates the first data broadcast applicationunder control of the control portion 68. Specifically, the applicationengine 73 controls the communication I/F 71 to acquire the data of thefirst data broadcast application identified by the application ID(App_id) from the server 22 via the Internet 3. After the acquisition,the application engine 73 activates and executes the first databroadcast application. Upon completion of step S106, control is returnedto step S101 and the subsequent steps are repeated.

If in step S105 it is determined that the command is not the executecommand, control is passed on to step S107. In step S107, based on theitem “Command_code” of the trigger information, the control portion 68determines whether the command designated by the trigger information isthe terminate command.

If in step S107 it is determined that the command is not the terminatecommand, i.e., that the command is other than the execute command or theterminate command, control is passed on to step S108. In step S108, theapplication engine 73 performs the process corresponding to the commandin question under control of the control portion 68. For example, if thetrigger information of the suspend command is received, the currentlyexecuting first data broadcast application is suspended. Upon completionof step S108, control is returned to step S101 and the subsequent stepsare repeated.

If in step S107 it is determined that the command is the terminatecommand, control is passed on to step S109. In step S109, theapplication engine 73 terminates the currently executing first databroadcast application under control of the control portion 68. Uponcompletion of step S109, control is returned to step S101 and thesubsequent steps are repeated.

As explained above, by performing the resident process, the receptionapparatus 23 continuously monitors the connection status of the externalapparatus 24 as well as the status of trigger information extraction. Ifthe external apparatus 24 is connected, the external apparatusinformation about the connected external apparatus 24 is stored. Iftrigger information is extracted, the process corresponding to thecommand designated by the trigger information is executed.

Explained next in reference to the flowchart of FIG. 20 is theapplication process performed by the reception apparatus 23 in use case1. The application process in FIG. 20 is carried out when theapplication engine 73 executes the first data broadcast applicationactivated in step S106 of FIG. 19.

In step S121, the application engine 73 executes the first databroadcast application, thereby getting program-interlocked informationdisplayed in superposed fashion on the image of the program.

In step S122, the application engine 73 controls the external I/F 75 todetermine whether the external apparatus 24 is connected to thereception apparatus 23.

If in step S122 it is determined that the external apparatus 24 isconnected, control is passed on to step S123. In step S123, theapplication engine 73 reads the external apparatus information that wasstored into the memory 103 in step S103 of FIG. 19. Then, based on theretrieved external apparatus information, the application engine 73determines whether the connected external apparatus 24 is targeted to beinterlocked (in step S124). For example, the determination of whether ornot the apparatus is to be interlocked may be accomplished by checkingwhether the type information about the type of the external apparatus24, indicated by the attributes of the external apparatus 24 included inthe external apparatus information, coincides with information about apredetermined specific type targeted to be interlocked.

If in step S124 it is determined that the connected external apparatus24 is not targeted to be interlocked, control is returned to step S121and the subsequent steps are repeated. Then the execution of the firstdata broadcast application is continued. Whenever a new externalapparatus 24 is connected, it is determined whether the externalapparatus 24 in question is targeted to be interlocked.

If in step S124 it is determined that the connected external apparatus24 is targeted to be interlocked, control is passed on to step S125. Instep S125, the application engine 73 controls the external I/F 75 totransmit the activate command to the external apparatus 24 targeted tobe interlocked. Incidentally, the destination to which to transmit theactivate command is specified by the access destination informationassociated with those attributes of the external apparatus 24 which areincluded in the external apparatus information retrieved from the memory103.

In step S126, the application engine 73 controls the external I/F 75 todetermine whether the event command is received from the externalapparatus 24. The event command is transmitted when the externalapparatus 24 activates the second data broadcast application in responseto the activate command from the reception apparatus 23 (in step S149 ofFIG. 21, to be discussed later).

If in step S126 it is determined that the event command is not received,then step S126 is repeated so as to iterate the process of determiningwhether or not the event command is received.

If in step S126 it is determined that the event command is received,control is passed on to step S127. In step S127, the application engine73 changes the display state of the program-interlocked information inkeeping with the received event command. Specifically, theprogram-interlocked information is changed to one of the states S4-1through S4-3 shown in FIG. 13.

In step S128, the application engine 73 determines whether the firstdata broadcast application is terminated. If in step S128 it isdetermined that the first data broadcast application is not terminated,control is returned to step S127, and the display of theprogram-interlocked information is continued.

If the currently executing first data broadcast application isterminated in response to the terminate command in step S109 of FIG. 19,then it is determined that the first data broadcast application isterminated (“Yes” in step S128), and control is passed on to step S129.In step S129, the application engine 73 controls the external I/F 75 totransmit the terminate command to the external apparatus 24 targeted tobe interlocked. Incidentally, the destination to which to transmit theterminate command is specified by the access destination informationincluded in the external apparatus information, as in the case of theabove-described activate command.

Upon completion of step S129, the application process in FIG. 20performed by the reception apparatus 23 is terminated.

As explained above, by carrying out the application process, thereception apparatus 23 transmits the activate command and terminatecommand for activating and terminating the second data broadcastapplication. Concurrently, the reception apparatus 23 receives the eventcommand sent from the external apparatus 24 and performs the processcorresponding to the received event command.

Explained next is the processing performed by the external apparatus 24targeted to be interlocked with the reception apparatus 23.

Described below in reference to the flowchart of FIG. 21 is the residentprocess carried out by the external apparatus 24 in use case 1.

In step S141, the application engine 96 executes an application programas part of its ordinary function (called the ordinary applicationhereunder), thereby causing the display portion 98 to displayinformation about the ordinary application in question.

Typical ordinary applications may include one for implementing thee-mail function and browser function. That is, the external apparatus 24in this example is not executing any specific interlocked application.The display portion 98 of the external apparatus 24 is thus displayinginformation such as e-mail information not at all related to the programdisplayed by the reception apparatus 23.

In step S142, the control portion 93 controls the external I/F 91 todetermine whether the external apparatus 24 is already connected to thereception apparatus 23.

If in step S142 it is determined that the external apparatus 24 has yetto be connected to the reception apparatus 23, control is passed on tostep S143. In step S143, the control portion 93 controls the externalI/F 91 to determine whether a device detection query notification isreceived from the reception apparatus 23. The device detection querynotification is given when the reception apparatus 23 performs theprocess of step S101 in FIG. 19.

If in step S143 it is determined that the device detection querynotification is received from the reception apparatus 23, control ispassed on to step S144. In step S144, the control portion 93 reads theexternal apparatus information held in the memory 95 in response to thedevice detection query notification, and feeds a device detectionresponse including the retrieved external apparatus information to theexternal I/F 91. The external I/F 91 forwards the device detectionresponse from the control portion 93 to the reception apparatus 23. Theexternal apparatus information thus transmitted is received by thereception apparatus 23 (in step S102 of FIG. 19).

Upon completion of step S144, control is passed on to step S145. If theexternal apparatus 24 is already connected to the reception apparatus 23(“Yes” in step S142) or if the device detection query notification hasyet to be received from the reception apparatus 23 (“No” in step S143),there is no need to transmit the device detection response. In such acase, step S144 is skipped and control is passed on to step S145.

In step S145, the control portion 93 controls the external I/F 91 todetermine whether the activate command is received from the receptionapparatus 23. Notification of the activate command is given when thereception apparatus 23 performs step S125 in FIG. 20.

If in step S145 it is determined that the activate command has yet to bereceived, control is returned to step S141 and the subsequent steps arerepeated. That is, the external apparatus 24 continuously executes theordinary application. Upon receipt of the device detection querynotification from the reception apparatus 23, the external apparatus 24transmits the device detection response including the external apparatusinformation to the reception apparatus 23.

If in step S145 it is determined that the activate command is received,control is passed on to step S146. In step S146, the control portion 93causes the display portion 98 to display an activation notification ofthe second data broadcast application.

In step S147, based on an operation signal from the operation portion94, the control portion 93 determines whether the user has performed anactivation permission operation on the second data broadcastapplication.

If in step S147 it is determined that the user has yet to perform theactivation permission operation on the second data broadcastapplication, control is returned to step S146. The determination processof step S147 is repeated until it is determined that the activationpermission operation has been carried out. In this case, the displaytime of the application activation notification may be determinedbeforehand. In case of a timeout on the predetermined display time, theactivation of the second data broadcast application may be forciblysuspended. Alternatively, the user's operation to activate the seconddata broadcast application may be rejected. In such cases, the seconddata broadcast application is not executed. Control may then be returnedto step S141 for example, and information about the ordinary applicationmay be displayed.

If in step S147 it is determined that the activation permissionoperation on the second data broadcast application has been performed,control is passed on to step S148. In step S148, the application engine96 activates the second data broadcast application under control of thecontrol portion 93 in accordance with the activate command.Specifically, the application engine 96 controls the communication I/F97 to acquire the data of the second data broadcast application from theserver 22 over the Internet 3, the second data broadcast applicationbeing specified by the application acquisition destination included inthe activate command. Following the acquisition, the application engine96 activates the acquired second data broadcast application.

In step S149, the application engine 96 controls the external I/F 91 totransmit the event command to the reception apparatus 23. The eventcommand thus transmitted is received by the reception apparatus 23 (instep S126 of FIG. 20).

In step S150, the control portion 93 controls the external I/F 91 todetermine whether the terminate command is received from the receptionapparatus 23. Notification of the terminate command is given when thereception apparatus 23 carries out step S129 in FIG. 20.

If in step S150 it is determined that the terminate command has yet tobe received, then the determination process of step S150 is repeated.That is, the external apparatus 24 continuously executes the second databroadcast application.

If in step S150 it is determined that the terminate command is received,control is passed on to step S151. In step S151, the application engine96 terminates the currently executing second data broadcast applicationunder control of the control portion 93 in accordance with the terminatecommand.

Upon completion of step S151, the resident process in FIG. 21 performedby the external apparatus 24 is terminated.

As explained above, by carrying out the resident process, the externalapparatus 24 controls the operation of the second data broadcastapplication in keeping with the activate command and terminate commandsent from the reception apparatus 23. On the other hand, upon activatingthe second data broadcast application, the external apparatus 24transmits the event command to the reception apparatus 23.

Explained below in reference to the flowchart of FIG. 22 is theapplication process performed by the external apparatus 24 in use case1. The application process shown in FIG. 22 is performed when theapplication engine 96 executes the second data broadcast applicationactivated in step S148 of FIG. 21.

In step S161, the application engine 96 causes the display portion 98 todisplay program-interlocked information by executing the second databroadcast application. The application engine 96 continuously displaysthe program-interlocked information until the second data broadcastapplication is terminated in step S151 of FIG. 21.

When the second data broadcast application is terminated, the externalapparatus 24 terminates the application process in FIG. 22.

As explained above, by carrying out the application process, theexternal apparatus 24 displays the program-interlocked information fromthe time the second data broadcast application is activated in responseto the activate command from the reception apparatus 23 until the seconddata broadcast application is terminated in keeping with the terminatecommand.

In use case 1, as discussed above, on condition that the externalapparatus 24 is not executing the second data broadcast application, thereception apparatus 23 transmits the second command (activate command orterminate command) to the external apparatus 24 that is connected duringexecution of the first data broadcast application in keeping withtrigger information. The second command causes the external apparatus 24to operate the second data broadcast application. For example, use case1 may be brought about conceivably when the user utilizing the e-mailfunction of the external apparatus 24 gains access to the receptionapparatus 23.

[Interlocked Operations in Use Case 2]

Next, the interlocked operations in use case 2 are explained below inreference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 23 through 26. The resident processperformed by the reception apparatus 23 in use case 2 will be describedfirst in reference to the flowchart of FIG. 23.

In steps S201 through S209, as in steps S101 through S109 of FIG. 19,the reception apparatus 23 continuously monitors the connection statusof the external apparatus 24 and the status of trigger informationextraction. If the external apparatus 24 is connected, the externalapparatus information about the connected external apparatus 24 isstored. If trigger information is extracted, the process correspondingto the command designated by the trigger information is executed.

However, use case 2 is different from use case 1 in that, with aninterlocked specific application activated by the external apparatus 24,the reception apparatus 23 performs a connection process with theexternal apparatus 24 currently executing the application process andstores external apparatus information accordingly. That is, in responseto the processes of steps S201 and S202, the processes of steps S261 andS262 are carried out as will be explained later, whereby the externalapparatus information is transmitted.

Explained next in reference to the flowchart of FIG. 24 is theapplication process performed by the reception apparatus 23 in use case2. The application process in FIG. 24 is carried out when theapplication engine 73 executes the first data broadcast applicationactivated in step S206 of FIG. 23.

In steps S221 through S224, as in steps S121 through S124 of FIG. 20,the first data broadcast application is executed. Whenever a newexternal apparatus 24 is connected, it is determined whether theexternal apparatus 24 in question is targeted to be interlocked. If itis determined that the external apparatus 24 is targeted to beinterlocked, control is passed on to step S225.

In step S225, the application engine 73 controls the external I/F 75 totransmit the event command for executing a specific process to theexternal apparatus 24 targeted to be interlocked. Incidentally, thedestination to which to transmit the event command is specified by theaccess destination information included in the external apparatusinformation. The event command thus transmitted is received by theexternal apparatus 24 (in step S265 of FIG. 26, to be discussed later).

In step S226, the application engine 73 controls the external I/F 75 todetermine whether the event command is received from the externalapparatus 24. The event command is transmitted when the externalapparatus 24 causes the interlocked specific application to perform apredetermined operation in response to the event command from thereception apparatus 23 (in step S269 of FIG. 26, to be discussed later).

If in step S226 it is determined that the event command is received,control is passed on to step S227. In step S227, as in step S127 of FIG.20, the application engine 73 changes the display state of theprogram-interlocked information in keeping with the received eventcommand. Specifically, the program-interlocked information is changed toone of the states S4-1 through S4-3 shown in FIG. 13.

In step S228, as in step S128 of FIG. 20, it is determined whether thefirst data broadcast application is terminated. If the currentlyexecuting data broadcast application is terminated in response to theterminate command (in step S209 of FIG. 23), then it is determined thatthe data broadcast application is terminated (“Yes” in step S228) andcontrol is passed on to step S229.

In step S229, the application engine 73 controls the external I/F 75 totransmit the event command for executing a specific process to theexternal apparatus 24 targeted to be interlocked. Incidentally, thedestination to which to transmit the event command is specified by theaccess destination information included in the external apparatusinformation. The event command thus transmitted is received by theexternal apparatus 24 (in step S270 of FIG. 26, to be discussed later).

Upon completion of step S229, the application process in FIG. 24performed by the reception apparatus 23 is terminated.

During the application process, as explained above, the interlockedspecific application is being activated by the external apparatus 24.For that reason, the event command is transmitted in place of theactivate command or terminate command so as to control the operation ofthe interlocked specific application. Also, the event command sent fromthe external apparatus 24 is received, and the process corresponding tothe received event command is carried out.

What follows next is an explanation of the processing performed by theexternal apparatus 24 targeted to be interlocked with the receptionapparatus 23.

Explained first in reference to the flowchart of FIG. 25 is the residentprocess carried out by the external apparatus 24 in use case 2.

In step S241, the control portion 93 causes the display portion 98 todisplay an application launcher for activating an interlocked specificapplication.

In step S242, based on an operation signal from the operation portion94, the control portion 93 determines whether the user has selected theinterlocked specific application from the application launcher.

If in step S242 it is determined that the interlocked specificapplication has been selected, control is passed on to step S243. Instep S243, the application engine 96 activates the interlocked specificapplication under control of the control portion 93.

In step S244, the control portion 93 determines whether the interlockedspecific application is terminated.

If in step S244 it is determined that the interlocked specificapplication is not terminated, the determination process of step S244 isrepeated. That is, the external apparatus 24 continuously executes theinterlocked specific application.

If in step S244 it is determined that the interlocked specificapplication is terminated, control is returned to step S241 and thesubsequent steps are repeated.

During the resident process, as explained above, the external apparatus24 activates the interlocked specific application for implementing suchfunctions as that of a remote controller independent of the operation ofthe reception apparatus 23.

Explained below in reference to the flowchart of FIG. 26 is theapplication process performed by the external apparatus 24 in use case2. The application process in FIG. 26 is carried out when theapplication engine 96 executes the interlocked specific applicationactivated in step S243 of FIG. 25.

In step S261, the application engine 96 controls the external I/F 91 todetermine whether a device detection query notification is received fromthe reception apparatus 23. The device detection query notification isgiven when the reception apparatus 23 executes the process of step S201in FIG. 23.

If in step S261 it is determined that the device detection querynotification is received from the reception apparatus 23, control ispassed on to step S262. In step S262, the application engine 96 readsthe external apparatus information held in the memory 96 in response tothe device detection query notification, and supplies a device detectionresponse including the retrieved external apparatus information to theexternal I/F 91. The external I/F 91 forwards the device detectionresponse from the control portion 93 to the reception apparatus 23. Theexternal apparatus information thus transmitted is received by thereception apparatus 23 (in step S202 of FIG. 23).

Upon completion of step S262, control is passed on to step S263. If thedevice detection query notification has yet to be received from thereception apparatus 23, step S262 is skipped and control is passed on tostep S263.

In step S263, the application engine 96 executes the interlockedspecific application to get the display portion 98 to displayinformation about the interlocked specific application. For example, theinformation about the interlocked specific application may constitutevarious operation buttons of a remote controller. As a result, the usercan utilize the external apparatus 24 as the remote controller foroperating the reception apparatus 23.

In step S264, based on an operation signal from the operation portion94, the application engine 96 determines whether the user has given aninstruction to terminate the interlocked specific application. If instep S264 it is determined that the instruction to terminate theinterlocked specific application is given, the application engine 96terminates the interlocked specific application, and the applicationprocess of FIG. 26 is terminated.

If in step S264 it is determined that the instruction to terminate theinterlocked specific application has yet to be given, control is passedon to step S265. In step S265, the application engine 96 determineswhether the event command is received from the reception apparatus 23.Notification of the event command is given when the reception apparatus23 executes step S225 in FIG. 24.

If in step S265 it is determined that the event command is received,control is passed on to step S266. In step S266, the application engine96 causes the display portion 98 to display a program-relatedinformation notification.

In step S267, based on an operation signal from the operation portion94, the control portion 93 determines whether the user has performed adisplay permission operation on the program-related information.

If in step S267 it is determined that the display permission operationon the program-related information has yet to be performed, control isreturned to step S266. The determination process of step s267 isrepeated until it is determined that the display permission operation isperformed. In this case, similarly to step S147 of FIG. 21, the displaytime of the program-related information notification may be determinedbeforehand. Upon elapse of the predetermined display time, the displayof the program-related information may be forcibly suspended, or theoperation to display the program-related information may be rejected.

If it is determined in step S267 that the display permission operationon the program-related information has been performed, control is passedon to step S268. In step S268, the application engine 96 under controlof the control portion 93 displays the program-related information onthe display portion 98. Specifically, the application engine 96 may, forexample, control the communication I/F 97 to acquire the data of theprogram-related information from the server 22 over the Internet 3, theprogram-related information being specified by a program-relatedinformation acquisition source described in the event-accompanyinginformation included in the event command. The acquired program-relatedinformation may be displayed on the display portion 98.

In step S269, the application engine 96 controls the external I/F 91 totransmit the event command to the reception apparatus 23. The eventcommand thus transmitted is received by the reception apparatus 23 (instep S226 of FIG. 24).

In step S270, the application engine 96 determines whether the eventcommand is received from the reception apparatus 23. Notification of theevent command is given when the reception apparatus 23 executes stepS229 in FIG. 24.

If in step S270 it is determined that the event command has yet to bereceived, the determination process of step S270 is repeated. That is,the external apparatus 24 in this case displays the program-relatedinformation continuously on the display portion 98.

If in step S270 it is determined that the event command is received,control is returned to step S263, and the display portion 98 is causedto display the information about the interlocked specific applicationsuch as the operation buttons of the remote controller, instead of theprogram-related information. That is, the display on the display portion98 returns to the state before the program-related information wasdisplayed.

Thereafter, steps S263 through S270 are repeated. When the user gives aninstruction to terminate the interlocked specific application (“Yes” instep S264), the application process in FIG. 26 performed by the externalapparatus 24 is terminated.

As explained above, by carrying out the application process, theexternal apparatus 24 displays the program-related information orterminates the currently displayed program-related information inresponse to the event command from the reception apparatus 23.

In use case 2, as discussed above, on condition that the externalapparatus 24 is executing the interlocked specific application, thereception apparatus 23 transmits the second command (event command) tothe external apparatus 24 that is connected during execution of thefirst data broadcast application in keeping with the triggerinformation. The second command causes the external apparatus 24 todisplay the program-related information. For example, use case 2 may bebrought about conceivably when the user utilizing the external apparatus24 as the remote controller operates the channel of the programdisplayed by the reception apparatus 23.

FIG. 27 shows how data broadcast applications are typically interlockedbetween the reception apparatus 23 and the external apparatus 24.Explained below is an example of such interlocking in use case 1.

As shown in FIG. 27, a display unit of the reception apparatus 23displays an image of the program (AV content) currently received fromthe broadcasting apparatus 21. In the bottom left corner of thedisplayed image is program-interlocked information displayed insuperposed fashion by the first data broadcast application. When theexternal apparatus 24 is connected to this reception apparatus 23, thereception apparatus 23 transmits the activate command to the externalapparatus 24.

Based on the activate command sent from the reception apparatus 23, theexternal apparatus 24 acquires the second data broadcast applicationfrom the server 22 over the Internet 3 and executes the acquiredapplication. This causes the display portion 98 of the externalapparatus 24 to display the same program-interlocked information as thatdisplayed by the first data broadcast application in the bottom leftcorner of the display on the reception apparatus 23.

And when the display portion 98 of the external apparatus 24 has theprogram-interlocked information displayed by the second data broadcastapplication, the reception apparatus 23 deletes from the display theprogram-interlocked information superposed on the image of the programbased on the event command from the external apparatus 24, wherebysolely the image of the program is displayed.

In the example above of FIG. 27, it was shown that the same databroadcast application is acquired by both the reception apparatus 23 andthe external apparatus 24. If the reception apparatus 23 and externalapparatus 24 each acquire a different data broadcast application, thenthe reception apparatus 23 and external apparatus 24 will execute theirdifferent data broadcast applications and display differentprogram-interlocked information.

As explained above, the external apparatus 24 connected to the receptionapparatus 23 may be operated in interlocked relation with AV content.

[Typical Structure of Computer]

The series of the processes described above may be executed either byhardware or by software. Where the processes are to be carried out bysoftware, the programs constituting the software may be eitherincorporated beforehand in the dedicated hardware of the computer to beused or installed from a suitable program recording medium into ageneral-purpose personal computer or like equipment capable of executingdiverse functions based on the installed programs.

FIG. 28 shows a typical hardware structure of a computer for executingthe series of the above-described processes using suitable programs.

In this computer 200, a CPU (central processing unit) 201, a ROM (readonly memory) 202 and RAM (random access memory) 203 are interconnectedvia a bus 204.

An input/output I/F 205 is further connected to the bus 204. Theinput/output I/F 205 is connected with an input device 206 made up of akeyboard, a mouse, a microphone and the like; with an output device 207typically composed of a display unit and speakers; with a storage device208 generally constituted by a hard disk and a nonvolatile memory; witha communication device 209 formed by a network I/F or the like; and witha drive 210 that drives removable media 211 such as magnetic disks,optical disks, magneto-optical disks, or semiconductor memories.

In the computer structured as outlined above, the CPU 201 may loadrelevant programs from, say, the storage device 208 into the RAM 203 forexecution via the input/output I/F 205 and bus 204, thereby carrying outthe series of the processes discussed above.

Also, the programs for execution by the computer may be processed in thedepicted sequence of this specification (i.e., on a time series basis),in parallel, or in otherwise appropriately timed fashion such as whenthey are invoked as needed.

The programs may be processed by a single computer or by a plurality ofcomputers on a distributed basis. The programs may also be transferredto a remote computer or computers for execution.

In this specification, the term “system” refers to an entireconfiguration made up of a plurality of component devices.

It should be understood that the present technology when embodied is notlimited to the above-described embodiments and that variousmodifications, variations and alternatives may be made of thistechnology so far as they are within the scope of the appended claims orthe equivalents thereof.

Furthermore, the present technology may also be structured as follows:

[1]

A reception apparatus including:

a reception portion configured to receive AV content being transmitted;

a command execution portion configured to execute a first applicationprogram in response to a first command for controlling the operation ofthe first application program executed in interlocked related to the AVcontent;

a command transmission portion configured to transmit to an externalterminal apparatus a second command for controlling the operation of asecond application program that can be executed by the terminalapparatus in interlocked relation to the AV content when the terminalapparatus is connected to the reception apparatus; and

a command reception portion configured to receive the first commandtransmitted from the terminal apparatus executing the second applicationprogram;

wherein the command execution portion executes the first applicationprogram in response to the received first command.

[2]

The reception apparatus described in [1] above, further including atrigger extraction portion configured to extract trigger informationwhich is transmitted along with the AV content and which pertains to thecontrol of the first application program,

wherein the command execution portion executes the first applicationprogram in response to the first command designated by the extractedtrigger information.

[3]

The reception apparatus described in [1] above, wherein if the terminalapparatus has yet to execute the second application program, the commandtransmission portion transmits the second command for activating thesecond application program; and

if the reception apparatus has terminated the execution of the firstapplication program, the command transmission portion transmits thesecond command for terminating the execution of the second applicationprogram.

[4]

The reception apparatus described in [1] above, wherein, if the terminalapparatus is executing the second application program, the commandtransmission portion transmits the second command for causing the secondapplication program to perform a specific process; and

if the reception apparatus has terminated the execution of the firstapplication program, the command transmission portion transmits thesecond command for terminating the currently executing specific process.

[5]

The reception apparatus described in [1] above, wherein, in response tothe first command received from the terminal apparatus, the commandexecution portion either maintains the display of information displayedby the first application program, deletes the display of theinformation, or updates the display of the information.

[6]

The reception apparatus described in [2] above, wherein:

the trigger information includes the first command designatingacquisition, registration, or activation of the first applicationprogram, or injection, suspension, or termination of an event; and

in response to the first command, the command execution portion executesthe acquisition, registration, or activation of the first applicationprogram, the injection of an event into the currently executing firstapplication program, the suspension of the currently executing firstapplication program, or the termination of the currently executing firstapplication program.

[7]

A control method including:

receiving AV content being transmitted;

executing a first application program in response to a first command forcontrolling the operation of the first application program executed ininterlocked related to the AV content;

transmitting to an external terminal apparatus a second command forcontrolling the operation of a second application program that can beexecuted by the terminal apparatus in interlocked relation to the AVcontent when the terminal apparatus is connected to the receptionapparatus;

receiving the first command transmitted from the terminal apparatusexecuting the second application program; and

executing the first application program in response to the receivedfirst command.

[8]

A program for controlling a reception apparatus, the program causing acomputer of the reception apparatus to execute a process including:

receiving AV content being transmitted;

executing a first application program in response to a first command forcontrolling the operation of the first application program executed ininterlocked related to the AV content;

transmitting to an external terminal apparatus a second command forcontrolling the operation of a second application program that can beexecuted by the terminal apparatus in interlocked relation to the AVcontent when the terminal apparatus is connected to the receptionapparatus;

receiving the first command transmitted from the terminal apparatusexecuting the second application program; and

executing the first application program in response to the receivedfirst command.

[9]

A terminal apparatus including:

a command reception portion configured to receive a second command forcontrolling the operation of a second application program executed ininterlocked relation to AV content being received, the second commandbeing transmitted from a reception apparatus executing a firstapplication program in interlocked relation to the received AV content;

a command execution portion configured to execute the second applicationprogram in response to the received second command; and

a command transmission portion configured to transmit to the receptionapparatus a first command for controlling the operation of the firstapplication program in accordance with the operation of the secondapplication program.

[10]

The terminal apparatus described in [9] above, wherein:

if the terminal apparatus is not executing the second applicationprogram, the command reception portion receives the second command foractivating the second application program; and

if the reception apparatus has terminated the execution of the firstapplication program, the command reception portion receives the secondcommand for terminating the execution of the second application program.

[11]

The terminal apparatus described in [10] above, wherein, if a user haspermitted the activation of the second application program, the commandexecution portion activates the second application program in responseto the second command

[12]

The terminal apparatus described in [9] above, wherein:

if the terminal apparatus is executing the second application program,the command reception portion receives the second command for causingthe second application program to execute a specific process; and

if the reception apparatus has terminated the execution of the firstapplication program, the command reception portion receives the secondcommand for terminating the currently executing specific process.

[13]

The terminal apparatus described in [12] above, wherein, if a user haspermitted the execution of the specific process, the command executionportion causes the second application program to execute the specificprocess in response to the second command.

[14]

A control method including:

receiving a second command for controlling the operation of a secondapplication program executed in interlocked relation to AV content beingreceived, the second command being transmitted from a receptionapparatus executing a first application program in interlocked relationto the received AV content;

executing the second application program in response to the receivedsecond command; and

transmitting to the reception apparatus a first command for controllingthe operation of the first application program in accordance with theoperation of the second application program.

[15]

A program for controlling a terminal apparatus, the program causing acomputer of the terminal apparatus to execute a process including:

receiving a second command for controlling the operation of a secondapplication program executed in interlocked relation to AV content beingreceived, the second command being transmitted from a receptionapparatus executing a first application program in interlocked relationto the received AV content;

executing the second application program in response to the receivedsecond command; and

transmitting to the reception apparatus a first command for controllingthe operation of the first application program in accordance with theoperation of the second application program.

[16]

A communication system including:

a reception apparatus; and

a terminal apparatus;

wherein the reception apparatus includes

-   -   a reception portion configured to receive AV content being        transmitted,    -   a first command execution portion configured to execute a first        application program in response to a first command for        controlling the operation of the first application program        executed in interlocked related to the AV content,    -   a first command transmission portion configured to transmit to        the terminal apparatus a second command for controlling the        operation of a second application program that can be executed        by the terminal apparatus in interlocked relation to the AV        content when the terminal apparatus is connected to the        reception apparatus, and    -   a first command reception portion configured to receive the        first command transmitted from the terminal apparatus executing        the second application program,

the terminal apparatus includes

-   -   a second command reception portion configured to receive the        second command transmitted from the reception apparatus,    -   a second command execution portion configured to execute the        second application program in response to the received second        command, and    -   a second command transmission portion configured to transmit to        the reception apparatus the first command in accordance with the        operation of the second application program, and    -   the first command execution portion executing the first        application program in response to the received first command.

1. A reception apparatus comprising: a reception portion configured toreceive audio visual content being transmitted; a command executionportion configured to execute a first application program in response toa first command for controlling the operation of said first applicationprogram executed in interlocked related to said audio visual content; acommand transmission portion configured to transmit to an externalterminal apparatus a second command for controlling the operation of asecond application program that can be executed by said terminalapparatus in interlocked relation to said audio visual content when saidterminal apparatus is connected to said reception apparatus; and acommand reception portion configured to receive said first commandtransmitted from said terminal apparatus executing said secondapplication program; wherein said command execution portion executessaid first application program in response to the received firstcommand.
 2. The reception apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a trigger extraction portion configured to extract triggerinformation which is transmitted along with said audio visual contentand which pertains to the control of said first application program;wherein said command execution portion executes said first applicationprogram in response to said first command designated by the extractedtrigger information.
 3. The reception apparatus according to claim 2,wherein: said trigger information includes the first command designatingacquisition, registration, or activation of said first applicationprogram, or injection, suspension, or termination of an event; and inresponse to said first command, said command execution portion executesthe acquisition, registration, or activation of said first applicationprogram, the injection of an event into the currently executing firstapplication program, the suspension of said currently executing firstapplication program, or the termination of said currently executingfirst application program.
 4. The reception apparatus according to claim1, wherein: if said terminal apparatus has yet to execute said secondapplication program, said command transmission portion transmits thesecond command for activating said second application program; and ifsaid reception apparatus has terminated the execution of said firstapplication program, said command transmission portion transmits thesecond command for terminating the execution of said second applicationprogram.
 5. The reception apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: ifsaid terminal apparatus is executing said second application program,said command transmission portion transmits the second command forcausing said second application program to perform a specific process;and if said reception apparatus has terminated the execution of saidfirst application program, said command transmission portion transmitsthe second command for terminating the currently executing specificprocess.
 6. The reception apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, inresponse to said first command received from said terminal apparatus,said command execution portion either maintains the display ofinformation displayed by said first application program, deletes thedisplay of said information, or updates the display of said information.7. A control method comprising: receiving audio visual content beingtransmitted; executing a first application program in response to afirst command for controlling the operation of said first applicationprogram executed in interlocked related to said audio visual content;transmitting to an external terminal apparatus a second command forcontrolling the operation of a second application program that can beexecuted by said terminal apparatus in interlocked relation to saidaudio visual content when said terminal apparatus is connected to saidreception apparatus; receiving said first command transmitted from saidterminal apparatus executing said second application program; andexecuting said first application program in response to the receivedfirst command.
 8. A program for controlling a reception apparatus, saidprogram causing a computer of said reception apparatus to execute aprocess comprising: receiving audio visual content being transmitted;executing a first application program in response to a first command forcontrolling the operation of said first application program executed ininterlocked related to said audio visual content; transmitting to anexternal terminal apparatus a second command for controlling theoperation of a second application program that can be executed by saidterminal apparatus in interlocked relation to said audio visual contentwhen said terminal apparatus is connected to said reception apparatus;receiving said first command transmitted from said terminal apparatusexecuting said second application program; and executing said firstapplication program in response to the received first command.
 9. Aterminal apparatus comprising: a command reception portion configured toreceive a second command for controlling the operation of a secondapplication program executed in interlocked relation to audio visualcontent being received, said second command being transmitted from areception apparatus executing a first application program in interlockedrelation to the received audio visual content; a command executionportion configured to execute said second application program inresponse to the received second command; and a command transmissionportion configured to transmit to said reception apparatus a firstcommand for controlling the operation of said first application programin accordance with the operation of said second application program. 10.The terminal apparatus according to claim 9, wherein: if said terminalapparatus is not executing said second application program, said commandreception portion receives the second command for activating said secondapplication program; and if said reception apparatus has terminated theexecution of said first application program, said command receptionportion receives the second command for terminating the execution ofsaid second application program.
 11. The terminal apparatus according toclaim 10, wherein, if a user has permitted the activation of said secondapplication program, said command execution portion activates saidsecond application program in response to said second command.
 12. Theterminal apparatus according to claim 9, wherein: if said terminalapparatus is executing said second application program, said commandreception portion receives the second command for causing said secondapplication program to execute a specific process; and if said receptionapparatus has terminated the execution of said first applicationprogram, said command reception portion receives the second command forterminating the currently executing specific process.
 13. The terminalapparatus according to claim 12, wherein, if a user has permitted theexecution of said specific process, said command execution portioncauses said second application program to execute said specific processin response to said second command.
 14. A control method comprising:receiving a second command for controlling the operation of a secondapplication program executed in interlocked relation to audio visualcontent being received, said second command being transmitted from areception apparatus executing a first application program in interlockedrelation to the received audio visual content; executing said secondapplication program in response to the received second command; andtransmitting to said reception apparatus a first command for controllingthe operation of said first application program in accordance with theoperation of said second application program.
 15. A program forcontrolling a terminal apparatus, said program causing a computer ofsaid terminal apparatus to execute a process comprising: receiving asecond command for controlling the operation of a second applicationprogram executed in interlocked relation to audio visual content beingreceived, said second command being transmitted from a receptionapparatus executing a first application program in interlocked relationto the received audio visual content; executing said second applicationprogram in response to the received second command; and transmitting tosaid reception apparatus a first command for controlling the operationof said first application program in accordance with the operation ofsaid second application program.
 16. A communication system comprising:a reception apparatus; and a terminal apparatus; wherein said receptionapparatus includes a reception portion configured to receive audiovisual content being transmitted, a first command execution portionconfigured to execute a first application program in response to a firstcommand for controlling the operation of said first application programexecuted in interlocked related to said audio visual content, a firstcommand transmission portion configured to transmit to said terminalapparatus a second command for controlling the operation of a secondapplication program that can be executed by said terminal apparatus ininterlocked relation to said audio visual content when said terminalapparatus is connected to said reception apparatus, and a first commandreception portion configured to receive said first command transmittedfrom said terminal apparatus executing said second application program,said terminal apparatus includes a second command reception portionconfigured to receive said second command transmitted from saidreception apparatus, a second command execution portion configured toexecute said second application program in response to the receivedsecond command, and a second command transmission portion configured totransmit to said reception apparatus said first command in accordancewith the operation of said second application program, and said firstcommand execution portion executing said first application program inresponse to the received first command.